Seven Earth-Cries Ascend, Seven Heaven-Smiles Descend

In this recording, Sri Chinmoy offers a seven instrument concert from 1979. During the concert, Sri Chinmoy played on some of his favourite instruments – The esraj, flute, cello, Bass flute, banjo, bell chimes and harmonium. He later gave a title to the concert “Seven Earth-Cries Ascend, Seven Heaven-Smiles Descend”.The concert was given on September 11th 1979 at Public School 86 in New York. It was a period before Sri Chinmoy started his major public Peace Concerts, and this recording is a historic record of this intimate concert for his own meditation students.

From Australian newsletter Trumpet Triumph 1979 Sept – Ocotber:

TUESDAY 11th SEPTEMBER

Sri Chinmoy gave a seven instrument concert and after playing each instrument he offered an aphorism on which to meditate for ten minutes. The instruments that he played were the Esraj, Western (golden) Flute, Cello, Bass Flute, Banjo (played with bow), Bell Chimes (Carillon), Harmonium – (in order of performance).

The Aphorisms were:

Gratitude

Constant and unconditional surrender

Pure, intense, soulful devotion

Unconditional surrender, ever-growing, ever-transcending.

I have many names:
In the early morning my name is God’s Compassion
In the morning my name is aspiration
At noon, my name is dedication
In the afternoon my name is surrender
In the evening my name is perfection
At night my name is God’s Satisfaction
I started my journey with God’s Compassion
I and my journey with God’s Satisfaction.

I am a chosen instrument of my Beloved Supreme and I shall remain so always.

Track 5 – Indian Banjo – I have many names In the early morning my name is God’s Compassion In the morning my name is aspiration At noon, my name is dedication In the afternoon my name is surrender In the evening my name is perfection At night my name is God’s Satisfaction I started my journey with God’s Compassion I and my journey with God’s Satisfaction.

Sri Chinmoy meditated on cakes after the concert; he offered the concert a name of “Seven Earth-Cries Ascend, Seven Heaven-Smiles Descend”.

On the same day, Sri Chinmoy visited the United Nations where the Meditation Group held a programme honoring the sixth anniversary of the Bahama’s joining the U.N. A featured speaker at the event was Bahamas Ambassador David L.Hepburn, who commented on the “dedication and devotion of human dignity of Sri Chinmoy” and the Meditation Group.